allen



(NoMode1-.)

` A.. M. ALLEN.

'l g/4 I E s E z E l l s E s .Mlm ma@ INVBNTOR WHEEL.

ATTORNEYS N. PUERS. Fhamumognpher, waehingtun. D. C,

UNITED STATES PATENT 1OFFICE.

ARTHUR M. ALLEN, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

' TO LEONORA L. ALLEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,071, dated May 22, 1883.

I Application tiled March 8, 1882. (No model.)

and it consists in the novel construction andl arrangement of parts hereinafter described, whereby a true circular rim is maintained, a superior elasticity is produced, tending to counteract the torsional action upon the wheel, and one which is capable of graduation, similar parts are rendered interchangeable or capable of reuewal,.and the manufacture aswell as repair of the article is facilitated or cheapcned.

' This inventionA is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view, showing the wheel set up. Fig. 2 is a sectional view` on the line m x, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical central cross-section. Fig. 4 is a Y sectional view of the hub, showing the position of the spokes before the wheel is set up. Fig. 5 is another section thereof, together with the brace-disks. Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5, but omitting the hub. Fig. 7 is a cross-section onthe line y y, Fig. 5. Fig. S is a cross-section of the inner rim, showing the connections ofthe braces. Fig. 9 is a similar section of the outer rim, showing the manner of securing thereto the suspension-strap. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section ot1 one of the braces, showing itsjoint.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. The letter A designates a cylinder, which carries a hub, B, at about its mid-length, together with two disks, C, one on each side of the hub, the hub being fixed, as by a featherkey, and the disks being loose. In this example the cylinder A is hollow and forms an axleboX; but it can also be made solid, in which case it is provided with journals. 4

The preferred method of forming the cylin- `der A when it is hollow is to cast the same inside of the hub B and disks C, and over a finished axle, so that the wheel is ready for use when it is set up.77

In the periphery of the hub B are mortises u, having inserted therein the inner ends ot spokes D, the outer ends of whichA are iitted into suitable cavities in a rim, E, the spokes being shouldered near the outer ends, forming tenons. The mortises u are larger in the direction of the circumference of the hub than the thickness of the spokes, and in setting up the wheel the spokes are set aslant or tangential to the hub, with tbeirinner extremities upon the base and at one end ot' the mortises, as shown in Fig. 4, and the rim E having been Afastened stationaryin a suitable frame, the hub is turned by a suitable tool in the direction indicated in Fig. 4 until the spokes assume a radial position,

-theirinnerends'being thus made to abut against the base'of the mortises and their outer shouldered ends against the rini. The mortises u are then entirely closed up by means of fillingpieces t, Fig. 2, prepared for this purpose, and

in this manner the spokes are held rigid and in proper relation both to the hubB andthe rim E, thereby actingupon the latter with uniformity and preserving or maintaining its true circular shape. The spokes D can also be fastened or held in their radial positions by means of bra-ces or tie-rods. The spokes D can be iliade either ot'wood or metal, and a packingofindia-rubber or other suitable material may be placed in a groove at the base of the hub mortises n, to compensate for any deficiency in the length ot' thespokes due to wear or to any possible error intheir manufacture. The filling-pieces t are made of an elastic material-as india-rubberthus forming cushions, or ofahard substanceas wood-and they may be secured in position by screws or other suitable means.

To the disks O respectively is connected one ot' thel ends ot' braces F, the other of whose ends is connected to the rim E. These braces are composed of metallic rods, and in this example the connection thereof with thc rim E is e'ected by means ot' heads g, at the outer ends of the braces, entering suitable recesses loops p, at the inner ends of the braces, enter- Y ing suitable recesses in the peripheries ofthe disks and engaging with bolts o. When the Wheel is to be set up the disks O are turned in opposite directions by a suitable contrivance a suiiicient distance to tighten the braces F,

`in the rim, and with the disks by means of only, a pawl and ratchet or other contrivance making the same tangential to the disks. rIhe l disks are then fastened, and by the ensuing strain upon the rim E it is re-enforced to a material extent.

With the disks C are combined toggles G, which are entered into recesses s in the sides of the hub and in the inner surfaces of the disks, and which are placed in a diagonal position before turning the disks, the disks being at this stage in aninner position upon the axlebox, so that when the disks are turned these toggles take a straight position, or one parallel to the axis of the wheel, where they are locked by brace-blocks e, (one or more,) placed between two of the toggles, or by other suitable devices. As the toggles G become straightened they force the disks C outward to the ends of the cylinder Aand against stop-flanges r, formed upon the cylinder atthose points, and the effect of such movement of the disks is, like the rotary movement thereof', to strain or tighten the braces F, besides bringing the same to an inclined position from the disks to the rim E. Hence either the rotary movement or the outward movement of the disks C can be utilized for tightening the braces F; Aor, in other words, the disks can be arranged either to turn or to spread outward without turning, the toggles G being used in the case last named. Another method of arranging the disks C when they have spread is to secure one disk rigidly to the cylinder, leaving the other loose, so that the loose disk is caused to recede from the other or xed disk by the togles.- When the disks C are arranged to turn can be used, in lieu of the toggles G and braceblocks e, to fasten or retain the disks in their positions.

The hub B and disks G, with their concomitants, can be used independently of each other, and in case the hub is omitted the toggles G are made to extend from disk to disk, as shown in Fig. 6, and a single brace-block only is required. The flanges r can also be used for holding the hub B in position on the cylinder A when it is used alone, the hub being in that case made of equal length to the cylinder.

When the hub B is used and the toggles G engage the same, as before stated, the spreading or outward movement of the disks (l is produced'by the action of the hub upon the toggles in turning the hub, for the purpose ot' radializing the spokes.

In the braces F respectively is arranged a spiral spring, a, preferably near one end thereof, in such a manner that such spring is a constituent part of the braces, and by this means the braces are rendered elastic in a longitudinal direction, allowing the same to yield not only to the action of their tension devices, but also to the torsional action upon the wheel. By straining the braces F to a greater or less extent their elasticity, due to the spring a, can be graduated. rIhe braces F are extensible or adjustable lengthwise, so that they can be permitted to take a greater or less degree of tangency to the disks G,and to this end the braces are respectively made in two parts or sections, which overlap each other at their adjoining ends, and are provided with teeth Z upon their opposed surfaces, whereby they engage each other,forming a toothed lap-joint, and a sleeve, 7c, is fitted upon the braces, so that if this sleeve is moved opposite to such joint the brace-sections are firmly locked in their positions, while when the sleeve is moved away from the joint onto either brace-section different teeth can be brought into engagement with cach other, varying the length of the braces. A bayonetjoint or other suitable device is used for holding the sleeve 7c in its locking position. 'Ihe rim E is composed of a felly and tire, but can aswell Abe made in one piece, lar, angular, V-shaped, or U-shaped.

Surrounding the rim E is a secondary rim, E', which is connected to the first or inner rim concentrically therewith by means of an elastic suspension-strap,H, preferably composed of india-rubber. This strap H is'continuous, and is bent longitudinally in what may be termed a L"zigzag7 course, so as to meet or impinge againstboth rims E E', while at its points ot' contact it is secured to the rims by clamping-screwsj or other suitable means. By the zigzag shape and continuity of the suspensionstrap H it is rendered elastic both in a lon gitudinal and lateral direction, at the same time possessing the required strength. The outer rim, E', is made T-shaped in cross-section for rigidity, and in order to adapt the suspensionand either tubu- TOO strap H to such shape thereof the strap isV slotted at the points where it meets the rim, its slots allowing the strap to clear the shank of the T.

To the outer rim, E', is applied a peripheral sand-pad, I, whose covering is composed of a strip of leather or other similar material bent under the rim and secured thereto at or near its edges. The functions of this pad I is to render the wheel adhesive and quiet in vehicular use, and to produce an increased friction when the article is used as a pulley.

It is evident that the outer rim, E', can be omitted, and in that event the sand-pad I may be applied to the inner rim.

The casting of the cylinder within the wheelhub is an important feature of my invention, and I reserve the right to make such feature the subject-matter of a separate application for Letters Patent.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the mortised hub B, the

IIO

spokes D, the rim E, and the filling-pieces t,

anges at its outer ends, the mortised hub arranged on the cylinder, the rim E, the spokes D, secured in the hub and rim, the disks c, arranged inside the ian ges on the cylinder, con- 5 necting` devices between the disks and the hub, and braces F,'connecting the disks with the rim, substantially as describedf i 4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the cylinder A, the disks C, the braces F, the rim E, the toggles G, and togle-locking devices, for the purpose speciiie 5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the cylinder A, anged at its opposite ends, the disks C, braces F, rim E, toggles G, and toggle-locking devices, for the purpose specified.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the cylinder A, the hub B, the disks O, `the braces F, the rim E, the toggles G, and toggle-locking devices, for the purpose specified.

7. The combination of the cylinder A, the ,disks C, mounted on the ends thereof', the hub B, the rim E, the spokes D, secured to the rim and hub, and the braces F, provided with springs n, and connecting the rim with the disks, substantially as described.

8. The' combination of the cylinder A, the 3o dis-ks C, mounted on the ends thereof, the rim E, and the braces F, connecting the disks with the rim, and each made in two parts, so that their length can be adjusted, substantially as described.

9. The combination, substantially as herein- 3 5 before set forth, of the disks G, the rim E, and the braces F, constructed in sections,which are unitedby a toothed lap-joint and sleeve for rendering the braces extensible.

l0. The combination, substantially as here- 4o inbefore set forth, of the rigidly-supported inner rim, E, the outerrim, E', and thecontinuous suspension-strap H, made of indiarubber and .alternately connectedto each rim.

1-1. The combination, substantially as here- 45 inbef'ore set forth, of the cylinder, the rotating disks, the disk-locking devices, the rim E, and the two sets of braces F, each having its members connected to the disks and the rim independently of each other,whereby said members 5oare permitted to assume tangential positions to the disks, and caused to preserve a like tangential angle thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in .the presence of two subscribing 55 witnesses.

ARTHUR M. ALLEN., Witnesses:

W. HAUFF, CHAs. WAHLERs. 

